Anchovies & Olives
Northwest Wines, Italian Soul, One Great Room
Capitol Hill · Seattle · Italian Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list at Anchovies & Olives is shorter than you might expect for a room this confident, but it earns its keep fast. There's a clear point of view here: Pacific Northwest producers rubbing shoulders with Italian whites, built specifically to drink well with raw fish and briny pastas. That focus is either exactly what you want or a gentle nudge to order accordingly.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into Washington State's Syncline Wine Cellars — a Columbia Gorge producer that doesn't get nearly enough credit — alongside a solid Italian contingent that skews toward lighter, high-acid whites suited to the seafood-heavy menu. This is not a list that goes deep on Napa Cab or chases trophy bottles; it's curated with a purpose. The Northwest section is the star, showcasing everything from sparkling to Roussanne to Grenache-based reds, which tells you the wine buyer actually thought about what goes on the plate. Gaps exist — don't come here expecting a robust Burgundy or broad Champagne selection.
By the Glass
Somewhere in the 10-16 glass range, which is respectable for a room this size. The by-the-glass program appears to mirror the bottle list's philosophy — expect Northwest whites to anchor the lineup. Rotation doesn't seem to be a priority, so what you see is likely what you get for the season.
Syncline Grenache/Carignan 2010 — null
A Southern Rhône-style blend from Washington's Columbia Gorge that most people walk right past assuming it won't work with seafood. It absolutely does — especially with anything in a tomato-based broth. Syncline consistently overdelivers for the price, and this is the bottle that proves the wine buyer knows what they're doing.
Syncline Roussanne 2010
Roussanne is a grape most diners couldn't pick out of a lineup, which is exactly why this flies under the radar. It's rich but not flabby, with enough texture to stand up to a creamy pasta and enough acid to not overwhelm a delicate crudo. Order it before someone else at your table discovers it.
Syncline Blanc de Blanc 2009
A sparkling wine that's been sitting on this list since 2009 — which, depending on when you're reading this, may mean it's past its window or simply forgotten. Unless the restaurant can confirm proper aging conditions and a compelling reason to revisit this vintage, the fresher options on the list will serve you better.
Syncline Sparkling Rosé 2010 + Shigoku oysters
Sparkling wine and oysters is a cliché for a reason — it works every single time. The Syncline Sparkling Rosé brings enough fruit to complement the brine and enough bubble to cut through the creaminess of a Shigoku. It's the most fun you can have at this restaurant for the price of a single bottle.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Anchovies & Olives is doing something genuinely interesting — building a wine list around a specific regional producer and a clear culinary identity — and that kind of intentionality is rarer than it should be. Send a friend here who thinks Washington State wine starts and ends with Chateau Ste. Michelle; the Syncline lineup alone is worth the trip.
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